ANXIETY

Hello there,

The word 'anxiety' makes me anxious. It's a word and feeling I used to fear.

6 years ago I was diagnosed with 'Anxiety and panic disorder', at this time I was around 12 years old. It all started when I would feel ill in a lesson, I would escape by asking to go to the 'medical room', a place where people went when they were feeling ill. At first I would do this every month, possibly less, but as it got more frequent teachers became irritated, as I had no physical signs of illness. Once I felt so anxious (I didn't know that it was anxiety at the time), that I wanted them to call my mum, as they refused my panic state became greater and I began to cry. It was time to get things sorted.
I left this school a couple of months later, it was a private school and very pressurised, something I could not deal with at the time. I was out of school for a little while before trying our local high school, by then however it was too late. I struggled getting into school everyday, anxiety bound me and I was fearing anything and everything outside my front door, and sometimes even room. I would have tutors to teach me in my house eventually, something I could just about cope with, they were specialists in dealing with sick children. For someone to leave mainstream education this early meant I lost a lot of friends, it was an extremely lonely time for me, and when I needed friends and care the most, it wasn't there from my peers. I felt weird and not normal, like I was an alien and that everyone viewed me like one.

My Mum was my biggest supporter, my Dad however did not understand. He was/is very pro-education, and he thought I was throwing my life away and being lazy. For 18 months I was out of mainstream education, and life, I would sleep in my mum and dads room on a put-you-up bed as I was so fearful of the dark. Step by step, with the help of professionals and my mum I got mentally stronger and less fearful, I eventually, independently took steps and asked to re-join mainstream education, I was getting better. Nothing can help anxiety, but you, I am a great believer in the fact that time heals all.

I was then 14/15 and joined a small high school, just what I could cope with. It was a massive step for me to take, and I was no longer fearful of people or outside my front door. This did not mean I didn't struggle everyday to get there, because I did, but I was gradually getting better, step by step, in my own time.

The time in which my anxiety was the worst was a very dark time for me, and i urge you, if you know anyone with anxiety, or you think they have anxiety support them, care for them. They may try and push you away, like I did with so many people but just be persistent, send them a text now and again, pop round and do things they can do at home. Ultimately just be there for them. I am now 18 years old, I have conquered anxiety, I still probably get a little more anxious then the average person, but I joined a college, completed A-levels and in September go to University. I didn't think anxiety would go away, but it did.

That's my story (briefly), what's yours?

TIPS ON DEALING WITH PANIC ATTACKS:

1 - Breathe through your mouth, slowly and close your eyes. - If i ever feel a little panicky, like I sometimes still do, this ALWAYS helps me through. So simple, yet so effective.
*I was once in a club and felt very sick, I knew it was me panicking, so I just sat down for a few minutes and was fine to dance the night away afterwards*

2 - Try not to over think things, one of my favourite quotes is : “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” , basically worrying will never change anything, it just takes away our happiness at that moment!

3 - Tell someone. Admittedly only one of my close friends knows I suffered from anxiety, I think because I rarely get panic attacks I don't feel the need to tell everyone, but if you do it's always such a help and reassurance to have someone there who knows what's going on, and doesn't think you're just being dramatic! - Although let them know not to smother you with attention, I always wanted my space when I was having a panic attack.

4 -  They only last for maximum 20 minutes. Some people, myself included, think they might be dying whilst having a panic attack, you just have to remind yourself that it will all be over soon, and again breathe. I would get really hot and shaky, everything would spin and I would feel like i was passing out. You won't die or pass out, you will be fine.

Hello, Athens & Mytilene!

Afternoon,

We visited Athens and Mytilene on our cruise adventures (not on the same day, but i only had a few pictures for each). Mytilene was very quiet and so we took retreat in a local cafe most of the time. We did however have a cheeky little explore..take a look...

OOTD: Urban outfitters dress, Asos sunnies & Superga shoes

How did they build their nest here? - I do not understand.

Mytilene must have very talented birds.

Athens was one of the most interesting places I have visited, and that's saying something. 

We visited the Acropolis and first Olympic stadium. 

Did you know: Women weren't allowed to take part in the Olympics at this time (1896), and Men had to basically well...do it naked (pretty much).

1 thing I loved were the views from the Acropolis...just look at it!

F A B U L O U S

My lovely Mamma 

OOTD: Topshop Dress and (again) Superga Shoes

*Superga shoes are the comfiest shoes...even without socks, I HIGHLY recommend*

All in all both Mytilene and Athens were very interesting, 10/10.

That's all for now Ladies & Gents.

Han x

A stroll through Istanbul

Good afternoon,

I HAVE BEEN ON HOLIDAY! My family and I went on a cruise for one week at the beginning of August. The cruise itself was not really our 'cup of tea', although we L O V E travelling, so it seemed only sensible to go on a cruise as we wanted to visit Turkey and Greece this year. I have travelled most of Europe and have to say after visiting Greece numerous times now, it has definitely come out on top for me (post coming very soon).

Today however I am here to share with you our stop at Istanbul, feel free to scroll now for pictures: 

 The patterns in Istanbul in most of the buildings were beautiful, as you can see!

 There were so many wild dogs and cats around!

Mamma and I having a giggle outside the Blue Mosque 

Such wonderful vibrant colours!

 Anyone care to join me in my lounge? What can I get you...tea/coffee?

 Walking back to the ship, boo!

The day we visited Istanbul was extremely humid and grey skies.

My favourite bits about Istanbul:

1) The colours, every mosque/building you visited was splashed full of colour, my kinda thang

2) The side streets were very picturesque, although was easy to get lost, so be careful!

That's all for today Ladies and Gents, thanks for reading! 
(More Greece & Turkey posts coming VERY soon)